Our Family of 5

Who would have thought?

2010-06-14T11:57:00.004-04:00

Who would have thought old 3-D movie glasses would entertain my family?

Yes, we are that lame..

Even Sophia got in on the action.

These silly kids

Funny thing is, they still have on these darn glasses today..lol

And yes, I was in there too, but the picture I looked fat in so I deleted it with out my kids knowing..haha

We ♥ The Park

2010-05-11T12:55:00.004-04:00

♥ My sweetness at the park ♥

Time Flies...

2010-04-26T13:35:00.003-04:00

How did it happen? My baby girl is 15! I can't even fathom that. She is the most beautiful, smart, big hearted child I have ever known. She is a blessing to us all and to everyone that is in her life ♥

Before her party with her best girl friends

With a few of her friends and Sophia

Miss Personality! She radiates energy!

And on to my handsome man, this is usually the look when I ask to take his picture..lol

♥He too is growing, here he is with his girlfriend ♥

"To be a mother is to know how it feels to have your heart walk around outside of your body"

♥ Hello Kitty ♥

2010-04-13T15:30:00.002-04:00

Sophia like every little girl these days LOVES Hello Kitty!
Add a Kick Ass Bow From Holly (www.kickassbows.com ) and she looked adorable for her
first day back at school today!
Click on the picture and it will get bigger!

Time to get our Camp on..

2010-03-29T07:10:00.004-04:00

Look out friends, we will be visiting this Spring/Summer. You know who you are!
::cough cough HANNAH cough cough::
We upgraded our pop up to this baby. It sleeps 8+ and has air,heat and a potty and Shower.

Spring fun..

2010-03-17T06:18:00.003-04:00

My girl loves to be outside in the sun, she even picked out her own clothes for school, when we got home I couldn't pass up taking some pictures of my little Punky Brewster!
♥Happy Spring♥

Private or Not Private?

2010-03-16T10:33:00.002-04:00

Ok fellow Bloggers!

Is your blog private? I am really wanting to get back to blogging but there
have been some changes in our lives and there are people that have chosen not to be in our lives anymore, so I don't think it's fair that they can keep up with us through this blog.

Should I go private?

Continue as we are?

Opinions??

Really want to get back to blogging..

2010-02-18T08:20:00.003-05:00

I really plan on getting back to blogging. I have been such a slacker lately, but I have so much going on (know excuse I know)
Here is Miss Sophia getting ready for her Valentine's Party at school today. They have been off school for a week, so it's been postponed and we hope it's today, since this is their first day back.
I think if you click on the picture it will show bigger.

♥Happy 4th Birthday Sophia ♥

2009-12-31T14:03:00.003-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday to my sweet baby girl
With her BFF Haydin

Her new baby doll

So excited

Everything in this house is Princess Tiana, so the cake was a no brainer

We want to take the time to tell each and everyone Happy New Year. We hope 2010 is good to you all, and we really wanna get back in to blogging :)

It's a zoo here..

2009-12-02T07:27:00.003-05:00

Has it really been that long since I have blogged? My new years resolution is to do better.

Let's start off with The Naked Cowboy..haha!
My best friend Debbie and I went to NY for the weekend and had a blast. Here are a few pictures.

Loved Times Square

Lincoln Tunnel

First time ever seeing the Empire State Building

Our Family on Thanksgiving

We have been crazy busy but the kids are doing great. I will post more updated pictures soon.
Happy Holidays everyone

Trick or Treat

2009-10-28T13:49:00.004-04:00

A few pictures from Trick or Treating...
My goofy kids

My sweeties

Very rare photo oportunity

Guatemalan Abby Cadabby

I don't know why my pictures are so small, I guess I need to get back in to blogging to figure it out!

Did someone say PRESCHOOL?

2009-10-06T08:23:00.004-04:00

With all that sassyness I think she will be just fine :)
She went right in and I had to beg for a kiss!

Pretty Please..

2009-10-01T15:42:00.001-04:00

Please take the time to visit my friend Becca's blog and help out.

http://princessellaruth.blogspot.com/2009/10/guatemala-food-project-silent-auction.html

Trying to stay caught up..

2009-09-08T07:53:00.003-04:00

We have football practice 3 days a week and games 2 days a week.
We are staying busy but love it.
Here is Frankie, #9

He is right on the end

We also went camping this past weekend for a few days
and Sophia was happy to meet up with her BFF Haydin

Day 1 at the beach

2009-08-31T08:20:00.003-04:00

Arriving and day 1 at the beach..Click on the image to see the big picture..

Trip to the Beach..

2009-08-30T10:32:00.003-04:00

First day of school..

2009-08-26T16:00:00.001-04:00

Monday was the big kids first day of school.
Katelyn is a freshman this year and Frankie started the middle school.
Both are doing fantastic and loving it.
Click on the photo below to see enlarge it.

Beach pictures are coming!

Beach Teaser

2009-08-25T12:45:00.002-04:00

We are trying to get back in to the swing of things and the big kids started school on Monday, so I have lots of pictures from the beach and also from school.
Click on the collage above to see a larger photo of my beautiful beach babe!

Singing Sophia, a Boo Boo and Camping..

2009-08-12T13:08:00.003-04:00

The love of my life relaxing while camping..

My son thrilled to death to have his picture taken while camping..

My beautiful Katelyn, she is always ready to smile

Sophia fell at the play ground while camping and ripped a nice hole in her lip, thank god for a nice park ranger and the fact that your mouth heals super fast.

And of course a Sweet Sophia Video for your viewing pleasure..

We are leaving Friday for Myrtle beach, so be on the look out for beach pictures in a few weeks!

It's that time of year again...

2009-08-05T12:57:00.003-04:00

Of course we needed new LT Cleats

And of course a new one of these

And this is always necessary

New practice pants and jersey

All lead up to this...

New season, new team and we are pumped!!
Practice is 4 days a week and getting intense
and we love it!

Our newest adventure.

2009-08-03T09:00:00.002-04:00

We are officially campers =)
We went one weekend and had a blast. With Frankie having football now, we are
hoping to still be able to go a few times before it gets too cold.

Blog Hoppin

2009-07-28T08:41:00.003-04:00

Blog Hoppin, Favorite Kids Photos

My girls at Put in bay

Frankie at football try outs

Trip to the zoo & a look back..

2009-07-25T12:45:00.006-04:00

I have become a blogger slacker again, but I have a good excuse. We have been keeping busy with the kids this summer. We went to our annual trip to the zoo. This is a look back at the big kids last year at the zoo. One year ago..

August 2008

July 2009
Now take another look at the pictures above...Frankie grew 7 inches and Kate has grown too..

Frankie being silly, kissing a monkey statue.

♥ My hearts ♥

Last year Sophia wouldn't even come near the petting zoo..

She loved the outback part of the zoo...Kangaroos were her favorite this year..

I have lots of new pictures and updates coming...

♥Summer fun♥

2009-07-05T20:13:00.005-04:00

We have had so much fun lately with the kids and are really enjoying our summer.

Here is Sophia on the 4th with Max our dog.

And of course Miss Katelyn

All of the shoes Sophia has she didn't have any tennis shoes, well great Target find, Dora Tennis shoes for $3.74

Look how long her hair is getting. Now this is after I cut a inch and a half off

Giggles

My Favorite this week

Has it been a month?

2009-06-25T15:25:00.003-04:00

My gosh what a terrible blogger I have become, sadly my only excuse is with hubby home all the time, it keeps me pretty busy. We are all fine, Frank is still laid off, the kids finished up school with fantastic grades and are ready to move on next year. Sophia is growing like a weed. We are staying busy spending lots of family time together.

We went and picked Strawberry's last week.

I have tons of pictures so I promise to do better, that is if anyone is still checking my blog?

♥Summer♥

2009-05-26T11:57:00.004-04:00

The pool is officially open and we are loving it. We have had some really great weather.

Summer fun!

~Proud~

2009-05-20T14:45:00.005-04:00

We sure have been busy and I have been full of pride for my kiddos.
Frankie was in the school track meet, he ran the 400 relay with 3 of his friends and his team took 4th place. Here he is getting ready to take the baton.

And his team on the awards podium

Those of you with teenagers probably see a lot of your child's head too. Here is all we seem to see Kate doing these days...TEXTING!

Occasionally, she stops long enough to smile. We are equally proud of Kate for getting all A's and making honor roll all 4 quarters, which means she don't have to take her exams this week. She goes to school Thursday and next Thursday and then she is done until August.

And of course my sweet little pumkin. She is growing leaps and bounds, can count to 10, knows her ABC's and loves to sing them (Very loudly I might add) And loves to proudly tell everyone that will listen her colors. Her new saying is "WHAT YOU SAY?" and it always and I mean always puts a smile on daddy's face.

We sure are blessed!

Strawberry girl, Now & Then..

2009-05-05T13:10:00.005-04:00

I took some pictures of Sophia today in her strawberry Gymbo dress and then looked back to last year. My gosh, in just a year my baby girl has grown so much!
Of course we had to add her new Build a Bear..

She said it was too bright and wouldn't open her eyes..

Last year at this time....

How much do we love Build a Bear..

2009-04-30T17:42:00.002-04:00

Sophia loves her Build a Bear! She loves her baby dolls and dressing up but she really loves her build a bears.
Check out the new Good Housekeeping Seal!! Sophia absolutely loves it and is carrying it all over the house!!

Pucker up!

Nothing makes me happier then seeing that big smile on her face.

Candid shots..

2009-04-22T06:48:00.004-04:00

We have been staying busy here, with it being Spring and Frank still laid off, we are able to spend a little more time down at the family cabin. We went for a few days while the kids were on spring break.

I love side profile shots..

It got pretty warm...so we took off her jammie top and let her cool down a little..

Frankie and I went for a walk....

A for sure sign of Spring!

And we are back....

2009-04-21T06:55:00.003-04:00

And our first order of business is...

Katelyn turned 14th on April 19th. So Happy Birthday to our sweet girl.

Also a great big Thank you to Jaimee at Centsibly Chic Designs for doing my blog.
She does great work and you should all visit her site and have her re-do your blog.

http://www.centsiblychicdesign.blogspot.com/

Intermission...

2009-04-16T07:03:00.002-04:00

We have been very busy and our blog is being made over. It should be done soon and then we will be back to the land of blogging!! Happy Spring!!

Braids...

2009-03-29T16:19:00.004-04:00

Sophia's first time in Braids...So cute!!
Click on the picture to view it full size....Of course the middle picture is my favorite this week.

3 years old and the world is my microphone..

2009-03-21T07:58:00.002-04:00

Sophia loves to sing and she will sing in to just about anything she can get her hands on...

Add a little dancing..

And of course closed eyes

And a little pose at the end..

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-18T10:49:00.003-04:00

Spring...did someone say Spring?

2009-03-15T15:36:00.004-04:00

I am a total Blogger slacker lately, but in my defense, with hubby laid off, we are doing stuff and staying busy. And we have all been sick with colds/bronchitis stuff.
But it was nice enough last week to get out and enjoy the sunshine, of course it got cold and a bit warmer again since then and now it's hard to keep her in the house.
But look at these smiles...How do you not smile when you see that?

Do you love Build a Bear as much as we do?

2009-03-06T12:18:00.003-05:00

The first 4 people that comment me I will send you a download card for the exclusive song
"Let's Talk About Love" performed by David Archuleta. This song was the inspiration for the Build-A-Bear Workshop Love. Hugs. Peace.(tm) global campaign. You can find out more at http://www.buildabear.com.

The song download is available at Build-A-Bear Workshop® stores and at http://www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace

Thank you to Build a Bear for sending these to us!!

Cheese...

2009-03-04T09:04:00.002-05:00

Stromboli anyone??

2009-02-24T13:31:00.008-05:00

Sophia is a very independent, strong person and she loves to help with anything.
She has been really helpful to me since my surgery. On Sunday we made stromboli's and wings
Rolling out the dough

Little sauce

Little ham

Cheese and peppers

Ready for the oven..

All done...Yummy!!

Have you seen Sophia??

2009-02-23T07:18:00.002-05:00

Sophia was playing quietly in her room, having a good time when I heard a muffled yell.
I know it's mean and only my sick sense of humor (well maybe Hannah's too) grabbed the camera and headed up to her room and this is how I found her..

Somedays don't ya just feel this way? Like your always stuck?

Update

2009-02-19T13:32:00.003-05:00

We are back to the land of living and blogging. Well, Kinda sorta. Lots to report here,
Surgery went well and I am up and about, very sore and very tired, but ok. I have not been to Target or Starbucks in almost 2 weeks. I have to get better.

Sophia is down with a cold and bad cough. This is her when she went down today.

In other news, hubby was laid off and his last day of work is February 27th, sadly that is our last day of insurance too. Please pray he gets called back before unemployment runs out and that we can get some sort of insurance at least for the kids.

I haven't been taking pictures since I have spent most of my time on the couch or in my bed. Hopefully I can get some taken and a new update later on this weekend.

Every Princess needs...

2009-02-09T07:52:00.004-05:00

A throne..

A beautiful dress, crown and accessories..

And of course a mirror to admire her own beauty..

We will be taking a break from blogging for awhile. I go in tomorrow morning for my hysterectomy. I will be back to the land of blogging as soon as I can. So, I leave you with
some photos of my beautiful princess..

Join me in praying for Abby

2009-02-07T15:56:00.000-05:00

Abby certainly needs all the prayers. Please spread the word, tell your friends Abby's story. Add her to prayer chains. Join me in lifting her up in prayer.

http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com

2 Years ago today we became a family of 5!

2009-02-06T10:22:00.003-05:00

2 years ago today we boarded a plane to bring this sweet baby girl home to her forever family.
How blessed and happy I felt to have all my family together finally.
This is Sophia the day we came home. In the airport.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

February 6,2007
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A daughter is a gift of love.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

February 6,2008
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Feb 6, 2009
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer

Sophia has been tagged..

2009-02-04T12:22:00.002-05:00

Sophia was tagged by Kelly and Sky..

1. Sophia loves loves loves Build a Bear.

2. Sophia is a creature of habit and routine.

3. Sophia loves her bun bun, so much that mommy bought one off ebay to replace it with.

4. Every time we go to Target we have to get a pretzel and coke icee.

5. Sophia loves chocolate chip pop tarts.

6. Sophia loves her cats Lucy and Lulu.

7. Sophia's smiles light up a gloomy day.

8. Sophia will tell me every night when she is ready to go to bed.

9. Sophia's best friend is Haydin.

10. Sophia loves loves love shoes!!

Sophia is tagging..

Bobbi and Reese
http://bobbi-partyoffive.blogspot.com/
Parker and Steph
http://websofparkersito.blogspot.com/
Tina, Toby and Layna
http://youguatabelieve.blogspot.com/

Build A Bear Obsession

2009-01-31T16:03:00.002-05:00

Sophia loves her Build a Bears...her newest obsession is dressing them. So, being the shopper that I am. I only buy them on sale. So, today strolling through the mall, we stopped in and Kate made a Koala bear with a coupon I had and Sophia got 2 outfits that were $6.00 each for the full outfits. She loved dressing them and here she is after her nap with her "friends"

We had to have Dirty Bun Bun in one picture...she insisted..

She still has one bunny that needs pants to go with the shirt she already has and one bear that needs a outfit. So, I will be on the look out for more sales.

It's funny to me how much alike but so different my girls are. Kate's thing was Barbies and Babies, Sophia's is Babies and Build a Bears...On sale of course=)

Wild About Daddy

2009-01-27T13:39:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday we went to Haydin's welcome home party and then to my niece Lexi's sweet 16 party. Of course Sophia had to wear her new outfit.

She got this crown at Haydin's party and wears it all day. Total princess in the making.

Loved her balloons too

Mommy and Sophia before we go...

My sweet beautiful girl!

2009-01-26T06:12:00.002-05:00

As promised...my little singing machine.

Barbie, Singing Machine & Award

2009-01-20T05:59:00.008-05:00

When Katelyn and Frankie out grew their toys over the years, I saved them all and stuffed them away in the cubby hole. My reason for saving was that so their kids would eventually have toys that were their mommy and daddys. But deep down it was because I needed that 3rd child. And I badly wanted to pass them down. We have so much fun pulling stuff out of the black hole as we like to call it. So, this weekend, we got this out. The Barbie Music Machine and boy did she love it!!

Sophia loves music and dancing!! So this was bound to be a hit!

Trying out the microphone

Stopping to smile

Dancing and singing away....Bun Bun and Pinkie Pie watching on the couch.
Of course there is video to follow later in the week.

Little help from a pro putting on the head set.

My girls, so different but so much alike.

And now my friend Hannah gave me a award!

Here is the meaning of the award:

It is the Friendship Award which means:"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to five bloggers who must choose five more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I really have a hard time picking, so I picked 5 people that I visit their blogs daily and love reading and being updated on their families.

Robyn~http://princesagabriella.blogspot.com/
Kelly~http://skyliesmiles.blogspot.com/
Sig~http://believinginfaith.blogspot.com/
Tina~http://youguatabelieve.blogspot.com/
Amy~http://amylynn3-thegoldsteins.blogspot.com/

Lemonade Award

2009-01-15T06:26:00.003-05:00

Today I got a Lemonade award from Hannah

http://memeandmonkey.blogspot.com/

This award comes with a few rules:

Put the logo on your blog or post.

Nominate other blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE!
Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.
So I'm sharing the love with these bloggie friends:

1.Donna,Logan and Austin~http://twoheartsinguatemala.blogspot.com/
Her boys are just adorable and reading her blog always puts a smile in my heart.

2.Katie,Brayden and Arianna~http://nyblomfamily.blogspot.com/
I have had the pleasure of meeting Katie and her kiddos. They are all very precious to me.

Many face of Sophia

2009-01-14T17:44:00.002-05:00

KICK ASS GIVEAWAY

2009-01-12T07:12:00.001-05:00

Visit my friend Sig's blog today for a chance at a Kick Ass Give away!

http://believinginfaith.blogspot.com/

Please pray for Abby

2009-01-10T19:14:00.003-05:00

Please join me in lifting Abby and her family up in prayer. This little girl needs our help. Please pray for her and add her to every prayer chain you can. You can learn more about Abby and her diagnosis and the long road a head of her by visiting her blog at
http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/

My sweet girl..

2009-01-08T11:40:00.003-05:00

I really have no words to describe how much I love this sweet little girl.

Dancing with Pinkie Pie

2009-01-07T07:54:00.002-05:00

Sophia loves Pinkie Pie

What a difference a year makes..

2008-12-28T18:24:00.006-05:00

Sophia is going to be 3 on Tuesday. We had her birthday party today. Look at the difference in her from last year to this year....I am so happy she is growing, but so sad my baby is not a baby anymore.

12/30/2007

12/28/08

12/30/07

12/28/08

12/30/07

12/28/08

12/30/07

12/28/08

Here and gone so fast...

2008-12-26T13:38:00.008-05:00

All the time and energy we as parents put in to Christmas and it's here and gone so fast.

Christmas eve with Frank's family

Sophia loved loved loved opening presents this year, and was so excited after each one.
If your little ones don't have this little tykes camera, go get them one. They are fantastic.

Frankie got air drum sticks that hook up to his ipod from his aunt and uncle

Electronic Monopoly for Katelyn

Little people princess castle

Christmas morning, Santa was here

Every princess needs a throne

Sophia where are you?

There you are...

Katelyn loves Abercrombie

Frankie with his Buckeyes Fathead

Frankie loved his new Jordans

Katelyn looking for her new cell phone that Santa hid in the tree, we thought she was going to knock the tree over looking for it when it rang. And we made her sweat it out, we waited until we started cleaning up and it rang and she came running out of the kitchen to see what it was? lol

Sophia's new baby. It came with the play pen, stroller and high chair. It's awesome!

And the aftermath...What a mess to clean up.

We had so much fun with the kids this year. Katelyn is getting older and it's hard to find things for her that are fun besides clothes and cell phones. Frankie is very easy to please and likes anything and doesn't ask for anything. Sophia absolutely loved all her presents. With each new thing she opened, the excitement was glowing on her face. From the very first present to the very last.

Hope everyone had a blessed holiday!

Now we move on to Sophia's birthday party on Sunday, she will be 3.

They're only little once..

2008-12-23T11:27:00.002-05:00

They're only little once.

Grant me the wisdom to guide them down the path that their feet should take.

For I know that they can never turn back and walk those paths with me again.

Give me the wisdom to guide their feet
so that someday they'll be able to walk alone.

They're only little once.

Give me the time I need to enjoy them.

For I know that after they're grown, I'll never have another chance

to tell stories and pretend at those tea parties.

I'll never have another chance

to watch them in a school play or sing in church, or to see them catch that first fish or score that first goal or hit that first home run ball.

Give me the time in life's busy schedule
to have fun with my children.

They're only little once.

Let me be a loving parent.

Let me correct and not just punish, explain and not merely scold.

Let me know when to correct, and how often, and when it's best to just look the other way.

Help me be patient and give me a gentle hand to mould them into better people.

They're only little once.

Let me be a good teacher and an even better example.

Give me the right words and deeds to teach them.

Help me to teach them about You and how to walk in Your ways

so that when they are old they will not depart from Your ways.

For they're only little one time,

only innocent and trusting and pliable for a space of time, one minute in an eternity.

Let me do my best for them while I have the chance.

Amen

~~ Author Unknown ~~

FFF~No Santa Here!

2008-12-19T13:43:00.005-05:00

Sophia refuses to see Santa. Coming through the mall and me going through my big speel of telling her he was at the North Pole and making toys for little boys and little girls and then turning a corner and running in to him at the Coffee shop, may have traumatized her a bit. So, instead of HO HO HO pictures. You get just down right cuteness pictures!

Sophia in her new princess dress that we had to buy to go meet and welcome home Sophia's BFF Haydin.

These big brown eyes are the most beautiful things in the world!!

Daddy's Birthday

2008-12-15T06:47:00.002-05:00

With a 2 and a half year old, It's hard to tell if she will stop long enough to take a few pictures, but yesterday was daddy's birthday and she was all about taking pictures.

Oh how I love this smile.

She just kept saying, squeeze tighter!

Please keep Carla and her family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time for them. You can still donate to the Josi memorial fund. Visit her blog and use the "CHIP IN" button

http://azhderianfamily.blogspot.com/

Also after 2 and a half years and 3 referrals later, my best friend Debbie and her husband are in Guatemala as we speak. They are finally picking up their 15 month old daughter Haydin. We can't wait to go greet them at the airport on Wednesday. Please pray for a smooth embassy appointment and safe return trip.

My husband is a Saint!

2008-12-09T12:20:00.003-05:00

Insert a halo and bright shining lights and music playing...

This is my present from my darling husband for Christmas...

I think I am in love!!
And he even said I could go buy the wallet to match..

Can you help?

2008-12-08T12:12:00.003-05:00

The Azhderian Family still owe alot from the adoption of Josi. They just sent the last payment for Josi a few weeks ago of $12,800. This horrible tradgedy should never have to happen to any family and then have to end up paying for an adoption when their child will never come home to them.
If you are like me and want to do something for this sweet family and do not know what to do, here is a wonderful way to honor precious Josi. They have a chip in button on their blog you can donate any amount to in Josi's name. I am praying that God will help them not have to worry about the financial end of this with all that they are going through right now.
If you want to help me with the memorial fund for Josi please post this on your blog, spread the word to all your adoption friends, or you can send them to my blog. I think together we all can show our love to Azhderian family in their time of crisis.
Chip in button is on their blog.

I know money is tight but please help if you can.

Miss Smarty Pants

2008-12-07T19:06:00.002-05:00

Miss Smarty Pants...

The cutest smarty pants I have ever seen

Photogenic little booger isn't she?

Please Pray..

2008-12-06T12:12:00.007-05:00

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me:

I wish you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too:

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity.
And all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew."

"I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past."

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

Author Unknown

Please say a prayer for my friend Carla and her family and mostly for their sweet little girl Josi. They were at the end of their journey to bring Josi home from Guatemala and the unthinkable happened. Josi was murdered. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers and visit Carla's blog and show her the wonderful support of our adoption family.

http://azhderianfamily.blogspot.com/

Monkey See...Monkey doo

2008-12-03T12:03:00.002-05:00

Frankie was doing this in the living room, bet you can't guess who was next to try?

Dont' that look like it hurts?
Trying a different approach

Pushign hard with them piggies

About as close as she can get, but pretty determined.

Thanksgiving day

2008-11-29T18:24:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, here is how I found Sophia right before everyone got to the house and we were ready to eat..

Daddy and Sophia

Me and the love of my life..

Me and My Katelyn

Our 3 Blessings

Our family shot

Every year we try to take a family shot of us all. Frank's grandma has been not feeling well so we wanted to make sure we got one this year.

My beautiful girls

We dont' have many of Frankie because he refuses to have his picture taken.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Adoption Celebration

2008-11-23T20:31:00.004-05:00

Friday Sophia and I picked up Kate and Frankie early from school and headed down town to the court house. The judge that done Sophia's re-adoption sent out invitations and had a big adoption celebration in honor of November being National Adoption month.

I of course didn't take my camera because I was worried they wouldn't let me take it through security. So, there are a few pictures from before hand..

Of course they are out of order, this is after we were home..

I love this sweet smile..

Of course she was happy then, but quickly after being home, she started coming down with something, well that something is full blown and she is miserable. Her nose is red, she is coughing, has a fever and is soo snotty. Poor little pumpkin!

♥ Smiles, Snowman, Cute Outfit ♥

2008-11-18T12:25:00.002-05:00

Frankie was bound and determined to make Sophia a snow man, with what little bit of snow we had. Here is it.

Cutie Snow Bunny

Very cold snow bunny hands..

Cute New Outfit and big smiles.

Anyone seen Sophia?

2008-11-14T13:24:00.005-05:00

Before Sophia came home I bought her this Dora TV toy and I didn't in a million years think she was ready to play with it yet, but she found it in the closet and wanted to try, so I plugged it in and she sat there for a hour or so playing. Not sure she completly understood but she loved it.

Bunny too!

2008-11-09T08:41:00.003-05:00

Our favorite bunny was getting pretty raggedy, so Sophia and I were at the mall last week and Build a Bear has tons of new animals for $10.00. And of course I had a $5.00 off coupon and so we found a new bunny for $12.00 and with the coupon we only paid $7.00. Of course we didn't dress her or anything because Sophia just takes the clothes off of them anyways.

Sophia was extra good so we stopped at Burger King on the way home and Sophia got fries and a Icee and was perfectly content and happy. This is where I found her after we got home.

Of course that was probably the last sunny warm day we will have in a long time here in Ohio.

Nothing makes me happier then putting a smile on my little girls face.

A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer. ~Author Unknown

Go Browns Go!

2008-11-06T11:33:00.002-05:00

In honor of Brady Quinn getting the start tonight, of course we had to put on the Browns Outfit.

And of course Bunny has to be in the pictures too.

Beautiful baby from the outside in..

Giggling

My favorite picture this week

Busting a move

Thanks SBP

2008-11-03T13:20:00.003-05:00

Our secret blogger pal Gena and her family sent Sophia this adorable Gymboree shirt and matching hair bows. Of course her and I both LOVE it.

She was being so silly and didn't want pictures taken that day.

Still not a good Sophia smile

Still not a good one

This is the best one and of course she wouldn't look at me...go figure.

Thank you Gena, Jaimie and Berik for such a great month. You have done way more then you needed to. You have really spoiled us all.

100% Weird

2008-11-02T10:48:00.002-05:00

My darling friends Jennifer & Leslie
tagged me and I'm supposed to list 7 weird things about myself..I have tagged 7 blogger friends.If your one of them copy the award off my blog,list 7 weird things about yourself ,and then pass the award on to 7 other bloggers!!!

1. I love to watch Lock up on MSNBC (see we are both weird Leslie)

2. I too sleep with a blanket, but it's a quilt my momma made us by hand for a wedding gift. It's my favorite and no matter how hot or cold I have to have it.

3.I have the same routine every single night when I get a bath.

4. I am a total Celebrity freak. I check many different web sites first thing in the morning.

www.people.com

www.x17online.com

www.perezhilton.com

www.celebritybabyblog.com

5. I love melted cheese, but can't eat just plain cheese cubed.

6. I am obsessed with the sex offender web site for my town. I check it daily.

7. I love salsa. I can put it on everything.

Now it's my turn to tag 7 people.

Christina http://aidencsworld.blogspot.com/

Donna http://twoheartsinguatemala.blogspot.com/

Hannah http://memeandmonkey.blogspot.com/

Natalie http://adventuresinfamily.blogspot.com/

Mandy http://www.adventuresinfamilyland.blogspot.com/

Stephanie http://www.maya-grace.blogspot.com/

Alleen http://santanaadoption.blogspot.com/

♥ We are back ♥

2008-10-28T15:59:00.003-04:00

We are back and all feeling good. Sophia and daddy never got the flu. Mommy got it the worst, Kate next and then Frankie. Let's hope the sickies are all gone.

This is the cutie girl after a bath the other day in her Halloween shirt from Leslie and Abby.

Thanks guys, she loves it!!

This is the "ok, I am done look"

Thank you all for your get well wishes.

I hope no one else gets it. It was a bad flu!

We interupt your regularly scheduled program..

2008-10-23T18:49:00.001-04:00

To Announce...

We all have the flu...We will be back to posting soon....

Cutie Patootie!

2008-10-20T14:25:00.004-04:00

Lo Lo and I took Sophia to get her pictures taken last week. She was so excited..

Smiling up a storm...
dancing around the yard...
Happy as could be...
She was all set and ready to go...
Until we got there....and then she screamed bloody murder!!

MY SBP ROCKS!!

2008-10-17T15:23:00.003-04:00

I came home to a big surprize on Thursday. A big box on the porch from my SBP. Girl, all I can say is YOU ROCK. My kids are loving you.

Look at that loot!
Sophia is loving her new My little pony and the princess Mrs. Potato Head pumpkin set and the kids are loving the halloween Jenga. And all the goodies. Boy they ask every day if we got any more mail from you.
Frankie has been sick and home from school for 2 days but went right for these.
I laughed so hard when I looked and seen him like this!
Really, thank you from the bottom of my heart for thinking of us and sending us so much. Really you have already went way above what you had to and we can't thank you enough for brightening the kids day and putting a smile on my heart!

Just some sweetness!

2008-10-14T13:42:00.002-04:00

All this sweetness puts such a smile on my heart.

Calling Daddy

Thanks to my SBP Ü

2008-10-10T07:13:00.003-04:00

Ok ladies, I'm sorry to let you all know that I have the best SBP.

We got a box yesterday in the mail of fun goodies for the kids and they had a blast with them.

They were so excited. Thank you to my blogger pal. You have once again put a smile on my kids faces and a smile on my heart.

Here are a few photos of Miss Sophia with her bracelets on and her little baby that she loves and had to sleep with last night and who she is cuddling with on the couch.

Look at that belly peeking out from eating all that candy =)
Funny story for my SBP, the mini tissue thingie, I thought was a mint, I touched my tongue to it and thought, Whoa, wait, that is not a mint, and THEN I read the package..LOLOL

Charlie & Lola

2008-10-08T16:12:00.003-04:00

Sophia loves to watch Charlie & Lola

She turned to smile at me

I have totally been a blogger slacker. We have had so much going on. Soon it will slow down and I will get back in to the swing of things.

Sophia has her cast off and her arm is doing good. She goes back to the Ortho in November to just have it checked to make sure she has her range of motion back.

She is getting so big and just amazes us everyday.

New love for Pony's

2008-09-29T12:44:00.004-04:00

My sister's neighbors have horses and they finally came down to the fence and we were able to pet them. Sophia was a bit afraid at first, but now is in heaven and can't stop talking about them.

Here is Frankie feeding them first.

Mommy and Sophia
Smiley Girl didn't want her picture taken
Ok, maybe a big cheesy smile
Ok, mom just one
Back to feeding the ponies

She was so thrilled
She was totally trying to get away..LOL

FFF~Silly Smiles

2008-09-26T10:33:00.005-04:00

1st and foremost I need to Thank my SBP for the adorable card I got in the mail. You have totally got me with this one. What a great idea, now hints, I need hints! Thank you for brightening my day!

FFF this week is silly smiles, and boy does Sophia give us some smiles.

Here is her almost smile

Full faced belly smile with brother
Her nope, not smiling smile

And this is the new smile, we don't know how she does it but she flips her lip down and smiles as us like this.

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown

Check out more FFF's @ Sarah and Sophie's Blog

http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/

Great Friends!

2008-09-24T07:07:00.003-04:00

I have the best friends in the world. After Sophia broke her arm, she has received many cards and the Monday she got presents. And boy does she like presents.

Here she is sitting on the couch ready to open her present from Brayden and Arianna.

Right after she peeked in she looked and me and said "Ohhhh"
She said Help Me Momma
She gave up looking at me at this point, she was so excited.

I mean come on, look at that big smile!
Reading her card
All fancied up and ready to go to the bus to pick up Frankie.

Thank you to Katie, Brayden and Arianna for making Sophia's day.

http://nyblomfamily.blogspot.com/

Sophia also got a card from our friend Bonnie & Saffron and yesterday got a Halloween shirt and card from Leslie and Abby. I will of course post pics of that soon too.

http://guatemama-leslie.blogspot.com/

Thank you all very much for going out of your way to put a smile on my baby girl's face. She absolutely loves to get mail. And boy did you make her day.

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

Brothers & Sisters

2008-09-22T12:10:00.003-04:00

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet. ~Vietnamese Proverb

She is taking Frankie's picture with her princess cell phone
Now she is showing him the non existent pictures =)
There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

FFF-Hope

2008-09-19T12:03:00.005-04:00

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ~George Iles

You've gotta have hope. Without hope life is meaningless. Without hope life is meaning less and less. ~Author Unknown

Love floods us with hope. ~Jareb Teague

My HOPE is that 3 precious children will be instilled with HOPE and make a difference in this world.

Adjusting to the Cast

2008-09-16T11:50:00.005-04:00

Sophia is having a hard time getting used to the cast and having a broken elbow. She is just miserable. She is not sleeping at night and is having such a hard time during the day.

I took her to Target and told her I would buy her a present for being such a big girl and she picked out this princess cup. And is happy and content with it.

Here she is trying so hard to open it and get it open and get a drink.

Finally..
She was dancing
Stopped for a smile for momma
Being silly

She was saying Itchy mommy
And this is the before shot of ouchhhhhh and then a scream

This is just a close up, because I love them big brown eyes!

FFF for us this week is BROKEN

2008-09-12T06:45:00.003-04:00

Sophia is broken

She fell out of her bed on Wednesday night and landed on her elbow. We thought she was ok. She got up Thursday morning and her arm was swollen from the Elbow down. Her little fingers looked like sausages. Off to statcare we went and they took pictures and guess what? She broke both of her bones in her elbow. So, we had to wait until 4pm and take her to a Orthopedic. They casted her and she has to wear it for 3 weeks. Hopefully if all goes well she should not have to wear it any longer.

She is absolutely miserable. All day Thursday she kept saying "Mommy hold me, I'm Broke" It broke my heart. Last night when we got home she kept saying "Mommy, I'm done, take it off" She doesn't really understand that she can't take it off and has to wear it until it's better. She went to sleep pretty good but was up at 530 this morning. She can't find a comfy spot.
I know accidents happen, but I gotta tell you when it's broke and "mommy kisses" can't fix it. It is just devastating, because Mommy kisses are supposed to fix everything.

Cousins

2008-09-09T06:30:00.002-04:00

Sophia loves all of her cousins, but her and Will are 6 months apart and she thinks he hangs the moon.

And as you can see, some days I think he gets tired of her..LOL

First Convertible Ride

2008-09-07T12:43:00.004-04:00

Daddy got the convertible out the other day and guess who rode in it and loved it?

Look closely you can barely see her head popping up

She was yelling Mommy Look!

My Silly Girls

2008-09-02T14:41:00.005-04:00

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there."

Blonde No More..

2008-08-31T09:36:00.003-04:00

July 4th, 2008

Labor Day 2008

Of course Frankie has a football and his football player face
You can't see in this picture, but Sophia has her arm on both Frankie and my necks with a death grip on us both.
Hope everyone has a blessed Holiday weekend!

FFF~Black & White

2008-08-29T08:02:00.004-04:00

All my favorites through out the summer

Check out more FFF's @ Sarah & Sophie's Blogs

http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/

Have a blessed weekend & Holiday!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-08-27T14:02:00.002-04:00

FFF~Stuffed Friends

2008-08-22T12:57:00.002-04:00

FFF this week is stuffed friends and Sophia's absolute favorite is Bunny, or bun bun as we call her.

When she came home I took her to the mall to build a bear and we made it. Just her and I. And she loves loves loves it.

Here she is laying on the couch with her

Big Hug
Kissing Bun Bun
Giggly hug for Bun Bun
See more FFF at Sarah & Sophie's Blog

http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/

Back To School

2008-08-20T10:50:00.005-04:00

Where did the summer go? Today was the kids first day back to school. Katelyn is in 8th grade at the Junior High

Frankie is a 5th grader at the Elementary school. Next year he will go to the middle school ::sigh::

Of course we had to take a pic of his kick ass shoes
And can't forget babygirl

And of course since we took a picture of brother's shoes, we had to take one of Sophia's too.

Sophia, Daddy and Mommy went to breakfast like we always do on the first day of school, but we are all 3 missing our big kids terribly!

Congratulations Katelyn

2008-08-18T14:54:00.002-04:00

Those babies have been on Since December 2005

But are off now =))

Limber Sophia

2008-08-17T09:43:00.002-04:00

Sophia got to go to the zoo again yesterday for her cousin Mikell's birthday party. She must have watched the monkeys too long. This is what she done afterwards at her Aunt Mimi's house.

Look at her arms backwards, they honestly looked like they were going to rip out of the sockets

She flipped and just hung there..LOL
And then she fell, and she didn't cry or get hurt, but we laughed so hard when we uploaded this picture.

Zoo Overload

2008-08-12T13:51:00.005-04:00

We took our first trip to the Cleveland Zoo with Sophia. She loves some of it, but other parts she wasn't liking at all. The big animals scared her to death and she wanted nothing to do with them.

This is totally what I wanted to do after the zoo

And I really wanted to hide away from the world

Sophia LOVED the turtles
And we watched this baby for about 30 minutes playing
Sophia was scared to pet the minature pony but loved this snake

Taking a rest
Sophia was too busy looking at everything around her
She was so excited to show Daddy and Frankie what she seen down there
She kept yelling Mommy Look! She was pointing at Seals
This was the Touch exhibit, of course she didn't want to touch the stingrays or sharks, and just wanted to be held.

My Favorite photo of the week
Yep, she is kissing the turtle
Group Shot
She wasn't too sure about the Goats either

Anyone Seen Sophia?

2008-08-11T13:08:00.002-04:00

Sophia has turned in to quite the Houdini these days, everytime I turn around, I can't find her. This is where I found her yesterday. This is the door to the garage.

I could hear her yelling but didn't know where she was?

I had Katelyn open it and guess who I found?
Yep, Miss Happy herself. And what did she say?

Mommy I was looking for you!

My FFF this week is my Son!

2008-08-08T09:34:00.002-04:00

This is Frankie's first year of football. He broke his hand last year and wasn't quite ready to play, but he jumped right in to tackle this year and is loving it. We are so proud of him.

Wahhhh, that's my handsome little man
Isn't he handsome?
And of course Sophia had to get in on the action
She was bound and determined to get that mouth guard in her mouth..LOL

Our Family of 5

Who would have thought?

We ♥ The Park

Time Flies...

♥ Hello Kitty ♥

Time to get our Camp on..

Spring fun..

Private or Not Private?

Really want to get back to blogging..

♥Happy 4th Birthday Sophia ♥

It's a zoo here..

Trick or Treat

Did someone say PRESCHOOL?

Pretty Please..

Trying to stay caught up..

Day 1 at the beach

Trip to the Beach..

First day of school..

Beach Teaser

Singing Sophia, a Boo Boo and Camping..

It's that time of year again...

Our newest adventure.

Blog Hoppin

Trip to the zoo & a look back..

♥Summer fun♥

Has it been a month?

♥Summer♥

*~Proud~*

Strawberry girl, Now & Then..

How much do we love Build a Bear..

Candid shots..

And we are back....

Intermission...

Braids...

3 years old and the world is my microphone..

Wordless Wednesday

Spring...did someone say Spring?

Do you love Build a Bear as much as we do?

Cheese...

Stromboli anyone??

Have you seen Sophia??

Update

Every Princess needs...

Join me in praying for Abby

2 Years ago today we became a family of 5!

Sophia has been tagged..

Build A Bear Obsession

Wild About Daddy

Barbie, Singing Machine & Award

Lemonade Award

Many face of Sophia

KICK ASS GIVEAWAY

Please pray for Abby

My sweet girl..

Dancing with Pinkie Pie

What a difference a year makes..

Here and gone so fast...

They're only little once..

FFF~No Santa Here!

Daddy's Birthday

My husband is a Saint!

Can you help?

Miss Smarty Pants

Please Pray..

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

Monkey See...Monkey doo

Thanksgiving day

Adoption Celebration

♥ Smiles, Snowman, Cute Outfit ♥

Anyone seen Sophia?

Bunny too!

Go Browns Go!

Thanks SBP

100% Weird

♥ We are back ♥

We interupt your regularly scheduled program..

Cutie Patootie!

MY SBP ROCKS!!

Just some sweetness!

Thanks to my SBP Ü

~Proud~